Alberta Security Law and Trespass Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: Alberta's security licensing law

Security work in Alberta is licensed under the Security Services and Investigators Act. Licences are handled by Security Programs, part of Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services. The Registrar under the Act approves the badge, uniforms and vehicle markings, and receives the reports the Act requires. Security Programs explains how the law works day to day in its Policy Manual.

You need a security service worker licence to work as a security guard, patrol dog handler, alarm responder, loss prevention worker or bodyguard.

Point	Alberta rule
Security services sub-classes	Loss prevention workers, executive security, security alarm responders and patrol dog handlers
Uniform	Loss prevention and executive security licensees may work without a uniform; if they wear one it must follow the law
How long a licence lasts	2 years
Changing employers	The individual licence is portable
Training licence	30 days, applied for by the employer, and not portable
Other licences	A security service worker cannot also hold a locksmith or automotive lock bypass licence

Security Programs can be reached at 1-877-462-0791. Licence changes, such as a new name or a lost card, use the Update to Individual Licence form.

Lesson 2: Identification, uniforms and conduct

Identification

Carry your licence card at all times on duty. It is the only formal identification for a licensee.
A badge is not a legal document and cannot be used to identify you to the public. Only the badge approved by the Registrar may be used.
If a member of the public asks, show proof of your licence unless doing so would get in the way of doing your duties. The public may always learn your name, licence number and employer's name.
You must never present yourself as a police officer or peace officer. Security licensees are not police or peace officers under Alberta's Police Act or Peace Officer Act.

Uniforms and vehicles

Security businesses must send front, back and side photos of any proposed uniform or vehicle marking change to Security Programs. The Registrar must approve them in writing before they are used.

Code of conduct

The Policy Manual sets a code of conduct for licensees while on duty. They must act with honesty and integrity, obey federal, provincial and municipal laws, and keep information confidential. They must not:

behave in a disorderly or inappropriate way
use unnecessary force
make false or misleading statements
consume alcohol, or use or possess illegal drugs (controlled substances)
hide complaints about other licensees

Lesson 3: What you and your employer must report

The Act and the Policy Manual set deadlines for telling the Registrar about certain events.

Who reports	What	Deadline
Individual licensee	A criminal or drug-related charge or conviction under federal law	Within 24 hours
Individual licensee	Loss of the licence card	Within 24 hours
Individual licensee	Changes to training, address, contact details or name	Within 30 days
Security business	An employee used a weapon on duty, a criminal allegation or complaint of excessive force, or a serious injury or death	Within 24 hours
Security business	New or departing employees, and dismissals for cause	Within 30 days

Use-of-force reports

A report to the Registrar is needed when a baton or other weapon is used, when someone is seriously injured or killed, or when a patrol dog bites a person. Handcuffing someone with no other incident needs only an internal record kept by the employer.

Lesson 4: Alberta's trespass laws

Alberta has two provincial trespass laws. The Trespass to Premises Act deals with trespass on premises. The Petty Trespass Act deals with entering land and refusing to leave it. Ask your supervisor which act your site's signs and post orders rely on.

Trespass to Premises Act

Notice not to trespass can be given orally or in writing by the owner or an authorized representative of the owner.
Notice can also be given by signs displayed where they can be seen at each entrance normally used to enter the premises.
When signs are properly posted, a person is deemed to have had notice.
A trespasser is guilty of an offence whether or not any damage is caused.

Petty Trespass Act

Entry on land can be prohibited by notice.
Some land is closed even without notice: lawns, gardens, land under cultivation or used for crops, animals or bees, and land surrounded by a fence or otherwise enclosed to keep people out.
A person must leave immediately when told to by the owner or occupier, or by a person they have authorized.

Penalties since December 5, 2019

Who	Maximum fine
Individual, first offence	$10,000, up to 6 months in jail, or both
Individual, 2nd or later offence on the same land or premises	$25,000, up to 6 months in jail, or both
Corporation that helps or directs trespassers	$200,000

A court can also order up to $100,000 in compensation for loss of or damage to property.

Lesson 5: Arrest and force in Alberta

Most arrests by security guards rely on section 494 of the Criminal Code, which applies across Canada.

494(1): anyone may arrest without a warrant a person they find committing an indictable offence, or a person they believe on reasonable grounds has committed a criminal offence and is escaping from, and being freshly pursued by, people with lawful authority to arrest them.
494(2): the owner or person in lawful possession of property, or a person they authorize, may arrest someone found committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property. The arrest must be made at that time, or within a reasonable time after if they believe on reasonable grounds that it is not feasible for a peace officer to make the arrest.
494(3): anyone other than a peace officer who makes an arrest must deliver the person to a peace officer forthwith (right away).

Alberta policy adds a step: before an arrest, say out loud that you are security. Show your licence card afterwards if the person asks.

Force

Section 25: a person authorized by law who acts on reasonable grounds may use as much force as is necessary. Force likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm is allowed only to protect life from death or grievous bodily harm.
Section 26: a person authorized to use force is criminally responsible for any excess.
Section 27: anyone may use as much force as is reasonably necessary to prevent certain offences that would likely cause immediate and serious injury to a person or to property.

Five factors to weigh before and after using any force.

The threat you actually face.
Whether force is needed at that moment.
Whether the force is in proportion to the threat.
Other options, such as talking, stepping back or calling police.
Care for the person afterwards, including first aid.